Anyone used a BookATrack car before on track day??

[Maverick_JDL]

Hi all, after much consideration I have decided not to start track daying in my own car. Instead I think I am going to book a day with a company like bookatrack or trackdayuk and use one of their cars. Has anyone done this or is there any advice out there for me.

Hot fav at the moment looks like the Nov 30th at Rockingham with bookatrack.

Keen to hear everyones advice and thoughts.

Anyone going to this event?

Thanks

[Pesky]

I personally have never used the Bookatrack Caterhams, but know people who have. Over the past 5 or 6 years, I've seen their fleet growing, whilst attending many of their trackdays.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Bookatrack for both trackdays, & trackday car hire.

An alternative would be to contact www.lambogenie.com who have Elises (incl race prepped) available for trackhire, & to book a suitable trackday (only) with Bookatrack.

[Herman Toothrot]

Bookatrack days are not to busy which is great but you pay for that privilage though they are also well organised. The BaT cars look great, but again you pay for the nice cars. If you want to do it cheaper cars, stuff like track prepared MX5 or hot hatch there are smaller companys about that will meet you at any trackday and give you the keys to such cars.

http://www.trackdayuk.com/

+

http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/

Will end up a couple of hundred cheaper per day for example.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 12th November 12:34

[Maverick_JDL]

Thanks for that guys

[RMac]

yes - in my opinion they are the best track day company out there & the caterhams are proper top spec superlights. They don't just have a fleet of ex academy roadsports.

I don't see how you can do it cheaper without being in a poorly maintained shed.

[RedRad]

I have used Bookatrack this year, they run great days and couldn’t me more friendly, highly recommended.

[chrisgtx]

I did a trackday in angelsey with them,very good it was too,i had a good look around their cars and was impressed with the deal,in fact if i didnt already have my car i would definately go for it.
when i added up how much it cost to take and run my car,i think it would of only cost 50 quid more!

[bionic man]

Out of interest what car have you got and why don't you want to track your own car?

[Maverick_JDL]

I have a 8 month old Audi S3, which is leased. With the fact that it is leased it’s just an additional headache in the unlikely event of an incident. Although it’s on maintained lease, turning up with 7k miles and cooked brakes and shredded tyres I think could be a difficult one to argue. Plus if I am honest the car is OK for road use. It may be quick, well built and grips like there is no tomorrow but its numb and has no "feel". I would much rather track day an open wheeled lightweight racer. To be fair the track day in the S3 could be a very very cheap option as if everything went well it could cost me nothing apart from petrol and the track time.. tops £300. But it could cost me a hell of lot more.

[mmm-five]

Great bunch of lads and would have no problem hiring one of the BatCats from them again if I had the time and money anymore.

I once (about 6 years ago) did the calculation to see whether it was worth hiring a car for the day rather than taking my e34 M5 onto the track - and it resulted in me taking the BatCat for 5 days over the course of the year.

My calcs went something like:

• Track day £100-£200/event;
• Fuel to track & back, plus use on track £150/event;
• Tyres (1 set every 2 events) - £300/event;
• Brakes (1 set of pads [£150] every 3 events, 1 set of discs [£300] every 6 events) = £100/event
• Accelerated wear on components (£4000 of suspension parts over 3 years) = £200/event

Or a total of close to £1000/event.

[Maverick_JDL]

Yeah its surprising how it would add up over a period of 2/3 events. I could probably get away with a set of tyres and pads etc on the maintance agreement but is it really worth the hassle - NO. Plus i will have miles more fun in the Catheram than the S3.

[Pesky]

Maverick_JDL said:

To be fair the track day in the S3 could be a very very cheap option as if everything went well it could cost me nothing apart from petrol and the track time.. tops £300. But it could cost me a hell of lot more.

Indeed it could!

Lease Company would probably be in their rights to cancel the lease, AND send you a bill for their losses.

I have heard of a lease being cancelled because the driver had the ECU mapped/chipped, plus he also got a big bill to pay.

[Maverick_JDL]

Yeah its just not worth it all to be honest. Going to go for BAT car I think and do the up coming Rockingham event. anyone going?

[Maverick_JDL]

Right guys I am all booked up and very very very excited... Jonny at Bookatrack has been very patient with me. Hope to see some PHers there.

[BertBert]

Pesky said:

Maverick_JDL said:

To be fair the track day in the S3 could be a very very cheap option as if everything went well it could cost me nothing apart from petrol and the track time.. tops £300. But it could cost me a hell of lot more.

Indeed it could!

Lease Company would probably be in their rights to cancel the lease, AND send you a bill for their losses.

I have heard of a lease being cancelled because the driver had the ECU mapped/chipped, plus he also got a big bill to pay.

Also if you invalidate the manufacturer's warranty it gets super expensive!
Bert

[Birdthom]

You can't go wrong with a BaTcat, it's as simple as that. Lots cheaper than tracking the S3 in the long run, and lots more fun. It's the way forward IMHO.

[Maverick_JDL]

Decision has been made anyway. Going to be using a BaT car. Thanks you everyone for your comments etc

[Pink_Panther]

I hired bat1 for the day at donington. Awesome! They even lent me a pair of shoes because my trainers were too big to operate the pedals properly. I've bought a superlight on the strength of the experience. As I am intending to do at least 12 days per year for me it is cheaper to buy one as the depreciation is very low.

Bookatrack are very well organized and the bat cats are great fun. I'd recommend some instruction too as it is priced very reasonably.